Can cats eat Raisins?
No. Raisins are dried grapes and carry the same risk of kidney injury — the toxic compounds are more concentrated in dried fruit.
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Key facts
- Verdict: No — dangerous to cats. Raisins should never be given deliberately.
- Category: Fruit
- Onset: Signs can start 0–12 hours — see the full timeline below.
- If it's already happened: Call your vet now, or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, charges apply) — see the emergency steps below.
If your cat has just eaten raisins
- Move your cat away from any remaining raisins. Do not try to make them vomit at home — this is dangerous in cats and rarely works.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and keep the packaging or a photo of the plant/substance if you can.
- Call your vet immediately, even out of hours. Tell them your cat's weight, what they ate, and when.
- If you can't reach your vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7 for guidance. They can advise on urgency and route you to emergency care.
What's the full picture?
Raisins are dehydrated grapes. The toxic compounds suspected of causing kidney injury in cats and dogs are concentrated by the drying process, meaning raisins may carry a higher risk per gram than fresh grapes. However, the exact toxin has not been definitively identified by veterinary science — this makes it impossible to establish a definitively 'safe' dose, which is why the guidance from the VPIS and International Cat Care is to treat any ingestion as a potential emergency.
The kidneys are the primary target organ. Acute kidney injury (AKI) can develop within 24–72 hours of ingestion. Early signs include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. As kidney function declines, affected cats stop producing urine (oliguria or anuria), become increasingly depressed, and may develop signs of uraemia — a toxic build-up of waste products normally filtered by the kidneys.
What makes raisins especially dangerous in the UK context is how widely they appear in everyday food. Hot cross buns, Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, mince pies, Eccles cakes, fruit scones, tea loaf, Dundee cake, and many muesli and granola products all contain raisins or sultanas (which carry identical risk). Any of these foods left within reach of a cat is a potential exposure.
Currants and sultanas carry the same risk as raisins — they are all dried versions of grape varieties and should be treated identically. Grape juice, wine, and any product containing grape extract are also on the 'do not give to cats' list, though the concentration of toxic compounds in juice versus whole fruit is less well characterised.
If your cat has eaten any amount of raisins, sultanas, or currants, contact your vet immediately — do not wait for symptoms to develop. Early veterinary treatment (induced vomiting within 2 hours, followed by activated charcoal and intravenous fluids to support kidney function) significantly improves prognosis. Once kidney damage has begun, treatment is much more difficult.
Symptoms to watch for
Hidden sources you might not think of
- Cereal (Alpen, muesli, bran flakes with fruit, granola)
- Hot cross buns and teacakes
- Fruit scones, Welsh cakes, Eccles cakes
- Mince pies and Christmas pudding
- Flapjacks and cereal bars
- Raisin bread
Safer alternatives
- Small pieces of fresh blueberry
- A tiny amount of plain cooked chicken
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Cat-safe treats — never share dried fruit
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Questions owners ask
My cat ate a few raisins from a fallen hot cross bun. What now?
Contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) immediately — do not wait to see if symptoms develop. Early treatment (within 2 hours) can prevent kidney damage. This applies even if your cat seems completely fine right now.
Are sultanas as dangerous as raisins for cats?
Yes — sultanas and currants carry the same kidney toxicity risk as raisins. They are all dried grape varieties and should be treated identically. Never give any form of dried grape to a cat.
How many raisins are toxic to a cat?
There is no established safe dose. Toxicity has been reported with very small amounts, and individual sensitivity appears to vary — some cats are severely affected by a few raisins while others may have less response. Because of this unpredictability, any ingestion should be treated as a potential emergency.
What are the signs of raisin poisoning in cats?
Early signs (within a few hours) include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and abdominal discomfort. Kidney failure signs develop within 24–72 hours: decreased urination, increased thirst, weakness, and eventually collapse. Do not wait for kidney signs — act immediately after ingestion.
Can cats eat grapes?
No. Grapes carry the same kidney toxicity risk as raisins and sultanas. The dried forms are more concentrated, but fresh grapes are also dangerous. No form of grape — fresh, dried, or juice — should be given to cats. See our dedicated grapes page for more detail.
A cat water fountain encourages drinking, which supports the kidneys — worthwhile for any cat that's had a dietary scare.
Recommended for cat owners
Related
Sources referenced for this guidance
- Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) — UK clinical toxicology reference used by vets
- International Cat Care — feline-specific clinical guidance
- BSAVA — British Small Animal Veterinary Association reference materials
- Merck Veterinary Manual — professional veterinary reference
About this guidance
Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.
This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.
Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team